Ryhall Church - St. John The Evangelist Church, Ryhall
History Of The Ryhall Church
The Ryhall Church you see today is not the original one. An earlier one, built in 1108, was where the nave now stands, and probably had a small chancel to the East. Presumably it fell into disrepair, and the one you now see was built early in the thirteenth century. The side aisles were built a little later.
The chancel was added in the fifteenth century when both aisles were widened, and the clerestory (rank of windows high on the walls) added.
Its clear glass windows, typical of Rutland churches add to its beauty. The stained glass window in what was the Lady Chapel, to the East of the chancel arch, is by Thomas Kempe – you can see a sheaf of wheat, his trademark.
Around the Ryhall church are niches where statues once stood. These were almost certainly destroyed at the Reformation.
The Ryhall church has two unusual features –the C15th carved human heads and animals and the remains of St Tibba’s cell. St Tibba, Patron Saint of falconers was an Anchorite (Female Hermit). Roads in the village are named after her and St Eabba, another Anchorite.
The outline of her cell, a squint, or window through which she could hear the Mass and a niche where food was passed to her, are still visible on the outer East wall.
Ryhall Church Today
The Ryhall church is currently undergoing a large restoration and renewal programme. We have to replace the roof, which is leaking in many places, and the old guttering and down-pipes.
We plan to replace the life-expired heating system with a more efficient and environmentally-friendly one, and to install a new lighting and audio-visual system – and, of course, to encourage more people to come to faith, rekindle a forgotten or abandoned faith, practise the faith they value or indulge their interest in church architecture.
We have strong links with our Church Primary School, Ryhall Academy. The children are regular visitors to church for their RE lessons and termly services. Rev Jo visits the school weekly to lead Assembly.
Another increasingly strong link is with our friends from the Methodist Church and their Minister, Revd William Booker. We share a common faith (plus coffee and cake) and worship from time to time as Churches Together in Ryhall.
Recent Ryhall & Belmethorpe News
St. John’s Ryhall Restoration & Renewal Plan update – Nov 2020
Michelle and Andrew Nebel have raised £170 with their latest bric-a-brac stall in memory of Ryhall villager Joan Caplan. Many thanks to Joan’s family who donated many of the items and to the Nebels for all their efforts fund-raising for the Church Roof, helped by Betty Edwards and Karen Blake.
News from the Village of Ryhall – Nov 2020
FLAGPOLE: Tuesday 22nd September saw the flying of the 90th birthday flag for Don Sismore. Many congratulations for your special birthday. The flags that we hold currently are:- Golden wedding, 60th wedding, Just Married, It’s a Boy/Girl, Happy Birthday (plain] plus 90th 70th 60th 40th 21st 18th, Merry Christmas, New
St John’s Church, Ryhall – Oct 2020
Coffee Mornings are temporarily suspended due to the Coronavirus threat 50 PLUS DRAW FOR SEPTEMBER 1st Prize £114-00 – number 52 – Jean Williams. 2nd Prize £57-00 – number 56 – Marion Davis. 3rd Prize £19-00 – number 28 – Dameon Clarke. Join the 50Plus Club TODAY for just £5-00
News from the Village of Belmesthorpe – Oct 2020
LOCKDOWN KNITTERS During lockdown and the months following, the group of local knitters led by Dorothy Dolby of Belmesthorpe, have kept themselves busy making various items of clothing for the charity, Knit For Peace. At the end of August another delivery was made to the Headquarters in London and the
St. John’s Ryhall Restoration & Renewal Plan update – Oct 2020
September has been a month of great activity, much of it focused on community engagement but also a great fundraising event from the children of the benefice. Over £77,000 has now been secured or pledged which is a great start but we still have a long way to go to
News from the Village of Ryhall – Oct 2020
Ryhall Village Hall remains closed but we hope to open as soon as possible. Please check the noticeboard for details of re–opening. RYHALL NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH Two things are obvious around the village now. 1) There are more children of all ages around and 2) the nights are closing in This
St. John’s Ryhall Restoration & Renewal Plan update – Sept 2020
The Restoration & Renewal (R&R) Plan was launched at the end of June 2020 with an initial focus on the most urgent need to replace the leaking roof and a plan over the next 5 years, to restore the building and renew the life within. Income generation has relied heavily
News from the Village of Belmesthorpe – Sept 2020
How to spot a Remote Access scam A Remote Access scam is when criminals contact you out of the blue, pretending to be the representative of a reputable organisation. This may be a telephone or internet provider or sometimes a bank or other service provider. Once the criminals have your
News from the Village of Ryhall – Sept 2020
PLEASE SAVE OUR WINDMILL! In the back garden of Francis Court, Rutland Way, Ryhall there is a model windmill approx. 4’ high which urgently needs some t.l.c. It was purchased in memory of Sandy Collins, a long-term resident of Ryhall, who spent his last years at Francis Court. It has,